EP1735205A1 - Engine cradle with improved impact response, corresponding cradle shell and vehicle - Google Patents

Engine cradle with improved impact response, corresponding cradle shell and vehicle

Info

Publication number
EP1735205A1
EP1735205A1 EP05733225A EP05733225A EP1735205A1 EP 1735205 A1 EP1735205 A1 EP 1735205A1 EP 05733225 A EP05733225 A EP 05733225A EP 05733225 A EP05733225 A EP 05733225A EP 1735205 A1 EP1735205 A1 EP 1735205A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
shell
motor vehicle
cradle
base surface
rear edge
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP05733225A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1735205B1 (en
Inventor
Thierry Chabrol
Roland Zonghetti
François ROULIN
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Auto Chassis International SNC
Original Assignee
Auto Chassis International SNC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Auto Chassis International SNC filed Critical Auto Chassis International SNC
Publication of EP1735205A1 publication Critical patent/EP1735205A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1735205B1 publication Critical patent/EP1735205B1/en
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D21/00—Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted
    • B62D21/15—Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted having impact absorbing means, e.g. a frame designed to permanently or temporarily change shape or dimension upon impact with another body
    • B62D21/152—Front or rear frames
    • B62D21/155—Sub-frames or underguards

Definitions

  • Engine cradle with improved impact behavior, cradle shell and corresponding vehicle The field of the invention is that of the automobile industry. More specifically, the invention relates to the cradles supporting the engines of motor vehicles. According to a common technique, the engine cradles comprise two shells made of stamped sheet metal and assembled together. One of the functions of these cradles is to withstand the forces generated by the engine torque during acceleration or deceleration phases of the vehicle. In addition, in the event of a frontal impact from the vehicle at high speed, the front cradle is an important element in absorbing energy by deformation. So that it can fulfill this function, the cradle must be able to move back (in the space indicated above), this until coming to bear on the body to transmit the forces there.
  • the rear part of the cradle which comes into contact with the body has a very rounded shape.
  • a rounded shape is due to the stamping technique used for the manufacture of the shells constituting the cradle. Indeed, such a rounded shape allows progressive deformation of the sheet and promotes the engagement and disengagement of the stamping dies relative to one another.
  • Figure 1 provides a side view of a traditional cradle.
  • the rear edge 10 of the cradle has a curvature between a base surface 11 of the upper shell and a flange 12 for assembling the latter with a lower shell.
  • the body 100 (symbolically represented) generally has, in the area of potential contact with the cradle, a vertical surface.
  • the rounded surface of the cradle against the vertical surface of the box can be the cause of a sliding of the cradle under the box, at the risk of causing a rupture of the cradle fixings.
  • the energy absorption function of the cradle is only exercised in an incomplete manner, or even not exercised at all.
  • the invention particularly aims to overcome this drawback of the prior art. More specifically, the invention aims to provide a cradle in stamped sheet metal which exhibits improved impact behavior compared to the conventional cradle of the prior art.
  • the invention also aims to provide such a cradle which does not cause an increase in weight.
  • the invention also aims to provide such a cradle which is simple in design, easy to manufacture and to implement.
  • the cradle exhibits improved impact behavior, in particular in the event of a frontal impact from a high-speed vehicle.
  • the cradle according to the invention moves back in the event of a significant frontal impact and comes to bear, with a plane support, on the body of the vehicle to transmit to it the forces collected.
  • This result is therefore obtained thanks to the invention, by avoiding poor docking of the cradle against the body, in particular in the event of the cradle sliding under the body.
  • This is allowed thanks to the support surface defined by the rear edge, the latter having a face substantially parallel to that of the body in order to produce a frank support, without possible shifting.
  • said shell has a flange defining an assembly plane with another shell, said one or more portions each corresponding to at least one protrusion formed in said flange.
  • said protuberance is formed by a deformation of said rear edge so that said one or more portions have an essentially U shape.
  • said U shape of said one or more portions preferably comprises said U shape of said one or more protrusions comprises two uprights interconnected by an essentially flat upper edge.
  • said protuberance (s) extend between said portion (s) and said base surface of said shell so that said U and said base surface are connected by at least one line substantially inscribing in the plane of said base surface.
  • said one or more protrusions have a progressive section which widens in the direction of said base surface.
  • the diffusion of the mechanical stresses linked to the impact is improved: the forces undergone are transferred from the protuberance to the entire shell, which allows a progressive absorption of the shock.
  • said base surface and said assembly flange are connected by a connecting wall, said one or more protrusions being bordered by two curved surfaces which connect said protuberance to said connecting wall. This also contributes to the gradual absorption of a possible shock.
  • the cradle comprises a portion defining a bearing surface in the vicinity of each of the ends of said rear edge. The cradle thus exhibits improved impact behavior, whatever the direction of the impact or almost.
  • said cradle comprises at least one base surface having a boss in the vicinity of at least one of its edges, called the proximal edge, of said base surface, said boss being formed on one face, said internal face , of said base surface, said shell being obtained by a process comprising: - at least one stamping step during which said boss is produced; - At least one step of folding said proximal edge towards said boss, until said proximal edge extends substantially parallel to said internal surface, said folding step being carried out by exerting in the vicinity of said proximal edge, a force of against support on the face opposite to said internal surface of said base surface.
  • the cradle is produced according to a manufacturing technique making it possible to fold an edge over a sheet metal part whose structure does not allow the establishment of a folding die according to the traditional technique.
  • stampers have always given up making such a fold, not being able precisely to use conventionally the folding dies.
  • This avoids having to add, as is the case with the front cradles, a reinforcement piece on the edge adjacent to the boss.
  • it is therefore possible to obtain a saving in weight and a saving in the cost of manufacturing the cradle, the latter nevertheless having an endurance capacity similar to that of a cradle equipped with a reinforcement piece on the edge in question.
  • said proximal edge is one of the edges of a window intended to form a passage for a link for taking up a motor torque.
  • the cradle preferably comprises two shells assembled together and each having a boss intended to form a bearing surface for one end of said rod, the lower and upper edges of said window being both folded substantially parallel to the surface base of the shell in the vicinity of which they extend.
  • the invention also relates to a cradle shell, of the stamped sheet metal type and having a rear edge intended to be mounted in the vicinity of an essentially vertical wall of the body, characterized in that at least a portion of said rear edge of said shell defines a bearing surface capable of coming into contact, during an impact received by said vehicle, with said essentially vertical wall of the body.
  • the invention also relates to a vehicle equipped with at least one cradle comprising at least one pressed sheet metal shell having a rear edge intended to be mounted in the vicinity of an essentially vertical wall of the body, characterized in that at least one portion of said rear edge of said shell, or of one of said shells, defines a bearing surface capable of coming into contact, during an impact received by said vehicle, with said essentially vertical wall of the body.
  • FIG. 1 is a side view of the rear edge of a cradle according to the prior art
  • - Figure 2 is a perspective view of a cradle according to the invention
  • - Figure 3 is a partial view of the rear part of a vehicle front cradle according to the invention
  • - Figure 4 is a perspective view of a vehicle front cradle according to the invention
  • - Figure 5 is a perspective view of a device during the execution of a step of a manufacturing method according to the invention.
  • the principle of the invention consists in making one of the shells of the cradle so that it has a rear edge with a portion defining a bearing surface capable of coming into contact, during a shock, with an essentially vertical wall of the body.
  • a cradle otherwise called “mini cradle” by those skilled in the art, is secured to the vehicle body in the rear part and, in the front part, to a shock absorber 2 or “add-on” fixed on plates 13 of the cradle.
  • a cradle is coupled to lower arms 3 wheel supports or carrying wheel support means 31 (symbolically represented), an anti-roll bar 32 connecting these arms and being held on the cradle.
  • the rear edge of the upper shell 1 has a portion according to the invention at each of its ends, each portion corresponding to a protrusion 101 formed in the rim 1 1 forming an assembly plane with the lower shell 4 of the cradle.
  • each of the protrusions 101 has a section having a shape essentially in a U, this U being in this case inverted with a flat upper edge 1011.
  • this protrusion extends so as to present an upper plane 1012 which fits in the plane of the base surface 14 of the upper shell.
  • each protrusion 101 has a section which gradually widens towards the base surface 14, this having curved side walls 1013 towards the connecting flange 15 of the shell which extends between the base surface 14 and the assembly flange 1 1.
  • Figure 4 is a perspective view of a cradle having a projection 101 at each end of its rear edge.
  • the connecting wall 15 connecting the base surface 14 and the assembly flange 11 of the upper shell 1 has an opening 151 made in the vicinity of a boss 141 obtained on the internal face of the upper shell, when the latter is stamped, and a boss 142 which the lower shell 4 has.
  • This opening has an upper edge 1511 and a lower edge 1512 which are folded so as to create a double thickness respectively with the base surface of the upper shell and with the base surface of the lower shell. These folds are obtained after the stamping phase by exerting a counter-pressing force on the external face of the upper shell.
  • a device such as that appearing in FIG. 5 is implemented.
  • this step of the manufacturing process is carried out by introducing a partial matrix 50 inside the shell. then by introducing through the opening obtained thanks to the punching tool, a folding tool 51.
  • This folding tool 51 comprises an active folding part 51 1 which causes the folding of the proximal edge 151 progressively inserting the tool into the opening.
  • the folding tool further comprises a counter-support element 512 intended to come to bear on the external surface of the base surface 14 (by opposition to the internal surface against which the partial matrix 50 is supported.
  • the counter-support element 512 is designed to come to bear on the base surface 14 before the folding tool causes the folding of the proximal edge, the counter-support element remaining in contact with the base surface of the shell during the entire folding step.

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle cradle of the type that comprises at least one dished plate shell (1) having one rear edge which is intended to be mounted close to an essentially-vertical wall (100) of the body (1). The invention is characterised in that at least one portion (101) of the rear edge of the shell (1) or of one of the shells defines a support surface which comes into contact with the essentially-vertical wall (100) of the body in the event of an impact absorbed by the vehicle.

Description

Berceau de moteur à comportement au choc amélioré, coquille de berceau et véhicule correspondants. Le domaine de l'invention est celui de l'industrie automobile. Plus précisément, l'invention concerne les berceaux supportant les moteurs de véhicules automobiles. Selon une technique courante, les berceaux de moteur comprennent deux coquilles réalisées en tôle emboutie et assemblées entre elles. L'une des fonctions de ces berceaux est de supporter les efforts engendrés par le couple moteur lors de phases d'accélération ou de décélération du véhicule. En outre, en cas de choc frontal du véhicule à grande vitesse, le berceau avant est un élément important de l'absorption d'énergie par déformation. Pour qu'il puisse remplir cette fonction, le berceau doit pouvoir reculer (dans l'espace indiqué précédemment), ceci jusqu'à venir en appui sur la caisse pour y transmettre les efforts. Dans le cas des berceaux réalisés par emboutissage de tôle, la partie arrière du berceau qui vient en contact avec la caisse présente une forme très arrondie. Une telle forme arrondie est due à la technique d'emboutissage utilisée pour la fabrication des coquilles constituant le berceau. En effet, une telle forme arrondie permet une déformation progressive de la tôle et favorise l'engagement et le dégagement des matrices d'emboutissage l'une par rapport à l'autre. Ceci est illustré par la figure 1 qui procure une vue de côté d'un berceau traditionnel. Tel que cela apparaît, le bord arrière 10 du berceau présente une courbure entre une surface de base 1 1 de la coquille supérieure et un rebord 12 d'assemblage de cette dernière avec une coquille inférieure. Or, comme on le remarque, la caisse 100 (représentée symboliquement) présente généralement, dans la zone de contact potentielle avec le berceau, une surface verticale. Aussi, dans certains cas, la surface arrondie du berceau contre la surface verticale de la caisse peut être la cause d'un glissement du berceau sous la caisse, au risque d'entraîner une rupture des fixations du berceau. En tout état de cause, dans une telle situation, la fonction d'absorption d'énergie du berceau n'est exercée que de façon incomplète, voire pas exercée du tout. L'invention a notamment pour objectif de pallier cet inconvénient de l'art antérieur. Plus précisément, l'invention a pour objectif de proposer un berceau en tôle emboutie qui présente un comportement au choc amélioré par rapport au berceau classique de l'art antérieur. L'invention a également pour objectif de fournir un tel berceau qui n'entraîne pas d'augmentation de poids. L'invention a aussi pour objectif de fournir un tel berceau qui soit simple de conception, facile à fabriquer et à mettre en œuvre. Ces objectifs, ainsi que d'autres qui apparaîtront par la suite, sont atteints grâce à l'invention qui a pour objet un berceau de véhicule automobile, du type comprenant au moins une coquille en tôle emboutie présentant un bord arrière destiné à être monté au voisinage d'une paroi essentiellement verticale de la caisse, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins une portion dudit bord arrière de ladite coquille, ou de l'une desdites coquilles, définit une surface d'appui susceptible de venir en contact, lors d'un choc encaissé par ledit véhicule, avec ladite paroi essentiellement verticale de la caisse. Ainsi, le berceau présente un comportement amélioré aux chocs, en particulier en cas de choc frontal d'un véhicule à grande vitesse. En effet, le berceau selon l'invention recule en cas de choc frontal important et vient s'appuyer, avec un appui plan, sur la caisse du véhicule pour transmettre à celle-ci les efforts encaissés. Ce résultat est donc obtenu grâce à l'invention, en évitant un mauvais accostage du berceau contre la caisse, en particulier en cas de glissement du berceau sous la caisse. Ceci est permis grâce à la surface d'appui définie par le bord arrière, ce dernier présentant une face sensiblement parallèle à celle de la caisse en vue de produire un appui franc, sans ripage possible. Selon une solution préférée, ladite coquille présente un rebord définissant un plan d'assemblage avec une autre coquille, ladite ou lesdites portions correspondant chacune à au moins une excroissance ménagée dans ledit rebord. De cette façon, on peut réaliser cette excroissance à l'aide d'une matrice d'emboutissage de la coquille correspondante. La surface d'appui susceptible de venir en contact avec la caisse lors d'un choc peut donc être obtenue à moindre coût, ceci sans ajout de matière ou d'une pièce qui engendrerait une augmentation de poids. Avantageusement, ladite excroissance est formée par une déformation dudit bord arrière de façon que ladite ou lesdites portions présentent une forme essentiellement en U. Dans ce cas, ladite forme en U de ladite ou desdites portions comprend préférentiellement ladite forme en U de ladite ou desdites excroissances comprend deux montants reliés entre eux par un bord supérieur essentiellement plat. On peut ainsi augmenter la surface d'appui susceptible de venir en contact avec la caisse, ceci autant que de besoin en fonction des caractéristiques de comportement aux chocs que l'on souhaite obtenir. Selon une solution avantageuse, ladite ou lesdites excroissances s'étendent entre ladite ou lesdites portions et ladite surface de base de ladite coquille de telle sorte que ledit U et ladite surface de base soient reliés par au moins une ligne s' inscrivant sensiblement dans le plan de ladite surface de base. On obtient de cette façon un comportement aux chocs optimisé, en évitant un éventuel effet de levier qui pourrait apparaître si l'excroissance était décalée verticalement par rapport à la surface de base de la coquille. Avantageusement, ladite ou lesdites excroissances présentent une section progressive qui s'élargit en direction de ladite surface de base. Ainsi, en cas de choc, la diffusion des contraintes mécaniques liées au choc est améliorée : les efforts subis sont transférés de l'excroissance à l'ensemble de la coquille, ce qui permet une absorption progressive du choc. Selon une solution avantageuse, ladite surface de base et ledit rebord d'assemblage sont reliés par une paroi de liaison, ladite ou lesdites excroissances étant bordées par deux surfaces incurvées qui relient ladite excroissance à ladite paroi de liaison. Ceci contribue également à l'absorption progressive d'un choc éventuel. Préférentiellement, le berceau comprend une portion définissant une surface d'appui au voisinage de chacune des extrémités dudit bord arrière. Le berceau présente de cette façon un comportement amélioré aux chocs, quelque soit la direction du choc ou quasiment. Selon une autre caractéristique, ledit berceau comprend au moins une surface de base présentant un bossage au voisinage de l'un au moins de ses bords, dit bord proximal, de ladite surface de base, ledit bossage étant ménagé sur une face, dite face interne, de ladite surface de base, ladite coquille étant obtenue par un procédé comprenant : - au moins une étape d'emboutissage au cours de laquelle est réalisé ledit bossage ; - au moins une étape de repliement dudit bord proximal en direction dudit bossage, jusqu'à ce que ledit bord proximal s'étende sensiblement parallèlement à ladite surface interne, ladite étape de repliement étant réalisée en exerçant au voisinage dudit bord proximal, une force de contre appui sur la face opposée à ladite surface interne de ladite surface de base. Ainsi, le berceau est réalisé selon une technique de fabrication permettant de replier un bord sur une pièce en tôle dont la structure ne permet pas la mise en place d'une matrice de pliage selon la technique traditionnelle. Jusqu'à présent, les emboutisseurs ont toujours renoncé à procéder à un tel pli, ne pouvant justement utiliser classiquement les matrices de pliage. On évite de cette façon de devoir rapporter, comme c'est le cas avec les berceaux antérieurs, une pièce de renfort sur le bord voisin du bossage. Ainsi, on peut donc obtenir un gain de poids et une économie sur le coût de fabrication du berceau, celui-ci présentant malgré tout une capacité d'endurance similaire à celle d'un berceau équipé d'une pièce de renfort sur le bord en question. Avantageusement, ledit bord proximal est un des bords d'une fenêtre destinée à former un passage pour une biellette de reprise d'un couple moteur. Dans ce cas, le berceau comprend préférentiellement deux coquilles assemblées entre elles et présentant chacune un bossage destiné à former une surface d'appui pour une extrémité de ladite biellette, les bords inférieur et supérieur de ladite fenêtre étant tous deux repliés sensiblement parallèlement à la surface de base de la coquille au voisinage de laquelle ils s'étendent. L'invention concerne également une coquille de berceau, du type en tôle emboutie et présentant un bord arrière destiné à être monté au voisinage d'une paroi essentiellement verticale de la caisse, caractérisée en ce qu'au moins une portion dudit bord arrière de ladite coquille définit une surface d'appui susceptible de venir en contact, lors d'un choc encaissé par ledit véhicule, avec ladite paroi essentiellement verticale de la caisse. L'invention concerne aussi un véhicule équipé d'au moins un berceau comprenant au moins une coquille en tôle emboutie présentant un bord arrière destiné à être monté au voisinage d'une paroi essentiellement verticale de la caisse, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins une portion dudit bord arrière de ladite coquille, ou de l'une desdites coquilles, définit une surface d'appui susceptible de venir en contact, lors d'un choc encaissé par ledit véhicule, avec ladite paroi essentiellement verticale de la caisse. D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront plus clairement à la lecture de la description suivante d'un mode de réalisation préférentiel de l'invention, donné à titre d'exemple illustratif et non limitatif, et des dessins annexés parmi lesquels : - la figure 1 est une vue de côté du bord arrière d'un berceau selon l'art antérieur ; - la figure 2 est une vue en perspective d'un berceau selon l'invention ; - la figure 3 est une vue partielle de la partie arrière d'un berceau avant de véhicule selon l'invention ; - la figure 4 est une vue en perspective d'un berceau avant de véhicule selon l'invention ; - la figure 5 est une vue en perspective d'un dispositif en cours d'exécution d'une étape d'un procédé de fabrication selon l'invention. Tel que déjà mentionné précédemment, le principe de l'invention consiste à réaliser l'une des coquilles du berceau de façon qu'elle présente un bord arrière avec une portion définissant une surface d'appui susceptible de venir en contact, lors d'un choc, avec une paroi essentiellement verticale de la caisse. On rappelle, en référence à la figure 2, qu'un tel berceau, autrement appelé « mini berceau » par l'homme du métier, est solidarisé à la caisse du véhicule en partie arrière et, en partie avant, à un absorbeur de chocs 2 ou « add- on » fixé sur des platines 13 du berceau. En outre, un tel berceau est couplé à des bras inférieurs 3 supports de roues ou portant des moyens supports de roues 31 (représentés symboliquement), une barre anti-dévers 32 reliant ces bras et étant maintenue sur le berceau. Selon le présent mode de réalisation de l'invention illustré par la figure 3, le bord arrière de la coquille supérieure 1 présente une portion selon l'invention à chacune de ses extrémités, chaque portion correspondant à une excroissance 101 ménagée dans le rebord 1 1 formant un plan d'assemblage avec la coquille inférieure 4 du berceau. Tel que cela apparaît, chacune des excroissances 101 présente une section ayant une forme essentiellement en U, ce U étant en l'occurrence inversé avec un bord supérieur plat 1011. De plus, cette excroissance s'étend de façon à présenter un plan supérieur 1012 qui s'inscrit dans le plan de la surface de base 14 de la coquille supérieure. On note que chaque excroissance 101 présente une section qui s'élargit progressivement en direction de la surface de base 14, ceci en présentant des parois latérales incurvées 1013 en direction du rebord de liaison 15 de la coquille qui s'étend entre la surface de base 14 et le rebord d'assemblage 1 1. La figure 4 est une vue en perspective d'un berceau présentant une excroissance 101 à chacune des extrémités de son bord arrière. Par ailleurs, tel que cela apparaît clairement, la paroi de liaison 15 reliant la surface de base 14 et le rebord d'assemblage 11 de la coquille supérieure 1 présente une ouverture 151 réalisée au voisinage d'un bossage 141 obtenu sur la face interne de la coquille supérieure, lors de l'emboutissage de celle-ci, et d'un bossage 142 que présente la coquille inférieure 4. Cette ouverture présente un bord supérieur 1511 et un bord inférieur 1512 qui sont repliés de façon à créer une double épaisseur respectivement avec la surface de base de la coquille supérieure et avec la surface de base de la coquille inférieure. Ces plis sont obtenus après la phase d'emboutissage en exerçant une force de contre-appui sur la face externe de la coquille supérieure. Pour cela, on met en œuvre un dispositif tel que celui apparaissant sur la figure 5. Selon le mode de réalisation préférentiel illustré par cette figure, cette étape du procédé de fabrication est conduite en introduisant une matrice partielle 50 à l'intérieur de la coquille puis en introduisant au travers de l'ouverture obtenue grâce à l'outil de poinçonnage, un outil de pliage 51. Cet outil de pliage 51 comprend une partie active de pliage 51 1 qui entraîne le repliement du bord proximal 151 au fur et à mesure de l'introduction de l'outil dans l'ouverture. L'outil de pliage comprend en outre un élément de contre-appui 512 destiné à venir en appui sur la surface externe de la surface de base 14 (par opposition à la surface interne contre laquelle on met en appui la matrice partielle 50). L'élément de contre-appui 512 est prévu pour venir en appui sur la surface de base 14 avant que l'outil de pliage ne provoque le repliement du bord proximal, l'élément de contre-appui restant au contact de la surface de base de la coquille pendant toute l'étape de pliage. Engine cradle with improved impact behavior, cradle shell and corresponding vehicle. The field of the invention is that of the automobile industry. More specifically, the invention relates to the cradles supporting the engines of motor vehicles. According to a common technique, the engine cradles comprise two shells made of stamped sheet metal and assembled together. One of the functions of these cradles is to withstand the forces generated by the engine torque during acceleration or deceleration phases of the vehicle. In addition, in the event of a frontal impact from the vehicle at high speed, the front cradle is an important element in absorbing energy by deformation. So that it can fulfill this function, the cradle must be able to move back (in the space indicated above), this until coming to bear on the body to transmit the forces there. In the case of cradles produced by stamping sheet metal, the rear part of the cradle which comes into contact with the body has a very rounded shape. Such a rounded shape is due to the stamping technique used for the manufacture of the shells constituting the cradle. Indeed, such a rounded shape allows progressive deformation of the sheet and promotes the engagement and disengagement of the stamping dies relative to one another. This is illustrated in Figure 1 which provides a side view of a traditional cradle. As it appears, the rear edge 10 of the cradle has a curvature between a base surface 11 of the upper shell and a flange 12 for assembling the latter with a lower shell. However, as noted, the body 100 (symbolically represented) generally has, in the area of potential contact with the cradle, a vertical surface. Also, in certain cases, the rounded surface of the cradle against the vertical surface of the box can be the cause of a sliding of the cradle under the box, at the risk of causing a rupture of the cradle fixings. In any event, in such a situation, the energy absorption function of the cradle is only exercised in an incomplete manner, or even not exercised at all. The invention particularly aims to overcome this drawback of the prior art. More specifically, the invention aims to provide a cradle in stamped sheet metal which exhibits improved impact behavior compared to the conventional cradle of the prior art. The invention also aims to provide such a cradle which does not cause an increase in weight. The invention also aims to provide such a cradle which is simple in design, easy to manufacture and to implement. These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved by virtue of the invention which relates to a cradle of a motor vehicle, of the type comprising at least one pressed sheet metal shell having a rear edge intended to be mounted on the vicinity of an essentially vertical wall of the body, characterized in that at least a portion of said rear edge of said shell, or of one of said shells, defines a bearing surface capable of coming into contact, during a shock received by said vehicle, with said essentially vertical wall of the body. Thus, the cradle exhibits improved impact behavior, in particular in the event of a frontal impact from a high-speed vehicle. In fact, the cradle according to the invention moves back in the event of a significant frontal impact and comes to bear, with a plane support, on the body of the vehicle to transmit to it the forces collected. This result is therefore obtained thanks to the invention, by avoiding poor docking of the cradle against the body, in particular in the event of the cradle sliding under the body. This is allowed thanks to the support surface defined by the rear edge, the latter having a face substantially parallel to that of the body in order to produce a frank support, without possible shifting. According to a preferred solution, said shell has a flange defining an assembly plane with another shell, said one or more portions each corresponding to at least one protrusion formed in said flange. In this way, this outgrowth can be achieved using a stamping die of the corresponding shell. The bearing surface capable of coming into contact with the body during an impact can therefore be obtained at lower cost, this without adding material or a part which would cause an increase in weight. Advantageously, said protuberance is formed by a deformation of said rear edge so that said one or more portions have an essentially U shape. In this case, said U shape of said one or more portions preferably comprises said U shape of said one or more protrusions comprises two uprights interconnected by an essentially flat upper edge. It is thus possible to increase the bearing surface capable of coming into contact with the body, this as much as necessary depending on the characteristics of impact behavior that it is desired to obtain. According to an advantageous solution, said protuberance (s) extend between said portion (s) and said base surface of said shell so that said U and said base surface are connected by at least one line substantially inscribing in the plane of said base surface. In this way, an optimized impact behavior is obtained, avoiding a possible leverage effect which could appear if the protuberance were offset vertically with respect to the base surface of the shell. Advantageously, said one or more protrusions have a progressive section which widens in the direction of said base surface. Thus, in the event of an impact, the diffusion of the mechanical stresses linked to the impact is improved: the forces undergone are transferred from the protuberance to the entire shell, which allows a progressive absorption of the shock. According to an advantageous solution, said base surface and said assembly flange are connected by a connecting wall, said one or more protrusions being bordered by two curved surfaces which connect said protuberance to said connecting wall. This also contributes to the gradual absorption of a possible shock. Preferably, the cradle comprises a portion defining a bearing surface in the vicinity of each of the ends of said rear edge. The cradle thus exhibits improved impact behavior, whatever the direction of the impact or almost. According to another characteristic, said cradle comprises at least one base surface having a boss in the vicinity of at least one of its edges, called the proximal edge, of said base surface, said boss being formed on one face, said internal face , of said base surface, said shell being obtained by a process comprising: - at least one stamping step during which said boss is produced; - At least one step of folding said proximal edge towards said boss, until said proximal edge extends substantially parallel to said internal surface, said folding step being carried out by exerting in the vicinity of said proximal edge, a force of against support on the face opposite to said internal surface of said base surface. Thus, the cradle is produced according to a manufacturing technique making it possible to fold an edge over a sheet metal part whose structure does not allow the establishment of a folding die according to the traditional technique. Until now, stampers have always given up making such a fold, not being able precisely to use conventionally the folding dies. This avoids having to add, as is the case with the front cradles, a reinforcement piece on the edge adjacent to the boss. Thus, it is therefore possible to obtain a saving in weight and a saving in the cost of manufacturing the cradle, the latter nevertheless having an endurance capacity similar to that of a cradle equipped with a reinforcement piece on the edge in question. Advantageously, said proximal edge is one of the edges of a window intended to form a passage for a link for taking up a motor torque. In this case, the cradle preferably comprises two shells assembled together and each having a boss intended to form a bearing surface for one end of said rod, the lower and upper edges of said window being both folded substantially parallel to the surface base of the shell in the vicinity of which they extend. The invention also relates to a cradle shell, of the stamped sheet metal type and having a rear edge intended to be mounted in the vicinity of an essentially vertical wall of the body, characterized in that at least a portion of said rear edge of said shell defines a bearing surface capable of coming into contact, during an impact received by said vehicle, with said essentially vertical wall of the body. The invention also relates to a vehicle equipped with at least one cradle comprising at least one pressed sheet metal shell having a rear edge intended to be mounted in the vicinity of an essentially vertical wall of the body, characterized in that at least one portion of said rear edge of said shell, or of one of said shells, defines a bearing surface capable of coming into contact, during an impact received by said vehicle, with said essentially vertical wall of the body. Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of illustrative and nonlimiting example, and of the appended drawings among which: - Figure 1 is a side view of the rear edge of a cradle according to the prior art; - Figure 2 is a perspective view of a cradle according to the invention; - Figure 3 is a partial view of the rear part of a vehicle front cradle according to the invention; - Figure 4 is a perspective view of a vehicle front cradle according to the invention; - Figure 5 is a perspective view of a device during the execution of a step of a manufacturing method according to the invention. As already mentioned above, the principle of the invention consists in making one of the shells of the cradle so that it has a rear edge with a portion defining a bearing surface capable of coming into contact, during a shock, with an essentially vertical wall of the body. Recall, with reference to Figure 2, that such a cradle, otherwise called "mini cradle" by those skilled in the art, is secured to the vehicle body in the rear part and, in the front part, to a shock absorber 2 or “add-on” fixed on plates 13 of the cradle. In addition, such a cradle is coupled to lower arms 3 wheel supports or carrying wheel support means 31 (symbolically represented), an anti-roll bar 32 connecting these arms and being held on the cradle. According to the present embodiment of the invention illustrated by FIG. 3, the rear edge of the upper shell 1 has a portion according to the invention at each of its ends, each portion corresponding to a protrusion 101 formed in the rim 1 1 forming an assembly plane with the lower shell 4 of the cradle. As it appears, each of the protrusions 101 has a section having a shape essentially in a U, this U being in this case inverted with a flat upper edge 1011. In addition, this protrusion extends so as to present an upper plane 1012 which fits in the plane of the base surface 14 of the upper shell. It is noted that each protrusion 101 has a section which gradually widens towards the base surface 14, this having curved side walls 1013 towards the connecting flange 15 of the shell which extends between the base surface 14 and the assembly flange 1 1. Figure 4 is a perspective view of a cradle having a projection 101 at each end of its rear edge. Furthermore, as it clearly appears, the connecting wall 15 connecting the base surface 14 and the assembly flange 11 of the upper shell 1 has an opening 151 made in the vicinity of a boss 141 obtained on the internal face of the upper shell, when the latter is stamped, and a boss 142 which the lower shell 4 has. This opening has an upper edge 1511 and a lower edge 1512 which are folded so as to create a double thickness respectively with the base surface of the upper shell and with the base surface of the lower shell. These folds are obtained after the stamping phase by exerting a counter-pressing force on the external face of the upper shell. For this, a device such as that appearing in FIG. 5 is implemented. According to the preferred embodiment illustrated by this figure, this step of the manufacturing process is carried out by introducing a partial matrix 50 inside the shell. then by introducing through the opening obtained thanks to the punching tool, a folding tool 51. This folding tool 51 comprises an active folding part 51 1 which causes the folding of the proximal edge 151 progressively inserting the tool into the opening. The folding tool further comprises a counter-support element 512 intended to come to bear on the external surface of the base surface 14 (by opposition to the internal surface against which the partial matrix 50 is supported. The counter-support element 512 is designed to come to bear on the base surface 14 before the folding tool causes the folding of the proximal edge, the counter-support element remaining in contact with the base surface of the shell during the entire folding step.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Berceau de véhicule automobile, du type comprenant au moins une coquille (1) en tôle emboutie présentant un bord arrière destiné à être monté au voisinage d'une paroi (100) essentiellement verticale de la caisse, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins une portion (101) dudit bord arrière de ladite coquille (1), ou de l'une desdites coquilles, définit une surface d'appui susceptible de venir en contact, lors d'un choc encaissé par ledit véhicule, avec ladite paroi (100) essentiellement verticale de la caisse.1. Cradle of a motor vehicle, of the type comprising at least one shell (1) of pressed sheet metal having a rear edge intended to be mounted in the vicinity of a wall (100) essentially vertical of the body, characterized in that at least a portion (101) of said rear edge of said shell (1), or of one of said shells, defines a bearing surface capable of coming into contact, during an impact received by said vehicle, with said wall (100 ) essentially vertical to the body.
2. Berceau de véhicule automobile selon la revendication 1 , caractérisé en ce que ladite coquille ( 1) présente un rebord (11) définissant un plan d'assemblage avec une autre coquille (4), et en ce que ladite ou lesdites portions (101) correspondent chacune à au moins une excroissance ménagée dans ledit rebord (1 1).2. Motor vehicle cradle according to claim 1, characterized in that said shell (1) has a flange (11) defining an assembly plane with another shell (4), and in that said one or more portions (101 ) each correspond to at least one protrusion formed in said flange (1 1).
3. Berceau de véhicule automobile selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que ladite excroissance est formée par une déformation dudit bord arrière de façon que ladite ou lesdites portions (101) présente une forme essentiellement en U. 3. Motor vehicle cradle according to claim 2, characterized in that said protuberance is formed by a deformation of said rear edge so that said at least one portion (101) has an essentially U shape.
4. Berceau de véhicule automobile selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que la forme en U de ladite ou desdites portions (101) comprend deux montants reliés entre eux par un bord supérieur essentiellement plat (101 1).4. Motor vehicle cradle according to claim 3, characterized in that the U-shape of said one or more portions (101) comprises two uprights connected to each other by a substantially flat upper edge (101 1).
5. Berceau de véhicule automobile selon l'une des revendications 3 et 4, caractérisé en ce que ladite ou lesdites excroissances s'étendent entre ladite ou lesdites portions (101) et une surface de base (14) de ladite coquille (1) de telle sorte que ledit U et ladite surface de base (14) soient reliés par au moins une ligne s'inscrivant sensiblement dans le plan de ladite surface de base (14).5. Motor vehicle cradle according to one of claims 3 and 4, characterized in that said one or more protrusions extend between said one or more portions (101) and a base surface (14) of said shell (1) of such that said U and said base surface (14) are connected by at least one line which is substantially in the plane of said base surface (14).
6. Berceau de véhicule automobile selon l 'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 5, caractérisé en ce que ladite ou lesdites excroissances présentent une section progressive qui s'élargit en direction de ladite surface de base (14).6. Motor vehicle cradle according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that said one or more protrusions have a progressive section which widens in the direction of said surface of base (14).
7. Berceau de véhicule automobile selon l'une des revendications 2 à 6, caractérisé en ce que ladite surface de base (14) et ledit rebord d'assemblage (l 1) sont reliés par une paroi de liaison (15), et en ce que ladite ou lesdites excroissances sont bordées par deux surfaces incurvées (1013) qui relient ladite excroissance à ladite paroi de liaison (15).7. Motor vehicle cradle according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that said base surface (14) and said assembly flange (l 1) are connected by a connecting wall (15), and in that said one or more protrusions are bordered by two curved surfaces (1013) which connect said protuberance to said connecting wall (15).
8. Berceau de véhicule automobile selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend une portion (101) définissant une surface d'appui au voisinage de chacune des extrémités dudit bord arrière.8. Motor vehicle cradle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a portion (101) defining a bearing surface in the vicinity of each of the ends of said rear edge.
9. Berceau de véhicule automobile selon l 'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, incluant au moins une coquille (1) comprenant au moins une surface de base (14) présentant un bossage ( 141) au voisinage de l'un au moins de ses bords, dit bord proximal (151 1), de ladite surface de base (14), ledit bossage ( 141 ) étant ménagé sur une face, dite face interne, de ladite surface de base ( 14), caractérisé en ce que ladite coquille est obtenue par un procédé comprenant : - au moins une étape d'emboutissage au cours de laquelle est réalisé ledit bossage ( 141) ; - au moins une étape de repliement dudit bord proximal (151 1) en direction dudit bossage ( 141), jusqu'à ce que ledit bord proximal ( 151 1) s'étende sensiblement parallèlement à ladite surface interne, ladite étape de repliement étant réalisée en exerçant au voisinage dudit bord proximal (151 1), une force de contre appui sur la face opposée à ladite surface interne de ladite surface de base (14).9. Motor vehicle cradle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, including at least one shell (1) comprising at least one base surface (14) having a boss (141) in the vicinity of at least one of its edges, called the proximal edge (151 1), of said base surface (14), said boss (141) being formed on one face, called internal face, of said base surface (14), characterized in that said shell is obtained by a process comprising: - at least one stamping step during which said boss (141) is produced; - At least one step of folding said proximal edge (151 1) towards said boss (141), until said proximal edge (151 1) extends substantially parallel to said internal surface, said folding step being carried out by exerting in the vicinity of said proximal edge (151 1), a counter-pressing force on the face opposite to said internal surface of said base surface (14).
10. Berceau de véhicule automobile selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce que ledit bord proximal ( 151 1) est un des bords d'une fenêtre (151) destinée à former un passage pour une biellette de suspension d'un moteur. 10. Motor vehicle cradle according to claim 9, characterized in that said proximal edge (151 1) is one of the edges of a window (151) intended to form a passage for a link rod for suspending an engine.
11. Berceau de véhicule automobile selon les revendications 9 et 10, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend deux coquilles (1), (4) assemblées entre elles et présentant chacune un bossage (141), (142) destiné à former une surface d'appui pour une extrémité de ladite biellette, les bords inférieur (1512) et supérieur (151 1) de ladite fenêtre (151) étant tous deux repliés sensiblement parallèlement à la surface de base de la coquille au voisinage de laquelle ils s'étendent.11. Motor vehicle cradle according to claims 9 and 10, characterized in that it comprises two shells (1), (4) assembled together and each having a boss (141), (142) intended to form a bearing surface for one end of said rod, the lower edges ( 1512) and upper (151 1) of said window (151) both being folded substantially parallel to the base surface of the shell in the vicinity of which they extend.
12. Coquille (1) de berceau, du type en tôle emboutie et présentant un bord arrière destiné à être monté au voisinage d'une paroi ( 100) essentiellement verticale de la caisse, caractérisée en ce qu'au moins une portion (101) dudit bord arrière de ladite coquille (1) définit une surface d'appui susceptible de venir en contact, lors d'un choc encaissé par ledit véhicule, avec ladite paroi (100) essentiellement verticale de la caisse.12. Cradle shell (1), of the stamped sheet metal type and having a rear edge intended to be mounted in the vicinity of a wall (100) essentially vertical to the body, characterized in that at least one portion (101) of said rear edge of said shell (1) defines a bearing surface capable of coming into contact, during an impact received by said vehicle, with said essentially vertical wall (100) of the body.
13. Véhicule équipé d'au moins un berceau comprenant au moins une coquille (1) en tôle emboutie présentant un bord arrière destiné à être monté au voisinage d'une paroi (100) essentiellement verticale de la caisse, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins une portion (101) dudit bord arrière de ladite coquille (1), ou de l'une desdites coquilles, définit une surface d'appui susceptible de venir en contact, lors d'un choc encaissé par ledit véhicule, avec ladite paroi (100) essentiellement verticale de la caisse. 13. Vehicle equipped with at least one cradle comprising at least one shell (1) in pressed sheet metal having a rear edge intended to be mounted in the vicinity of a wall (100) essentially vertical to the body, characterized in that at at least a portion (101) of said rear edge of said shell (1), or of one of said shells, defines a bearing surface capable of coming into contact, during an impact received by said vehicle, with said wall ( 100) essentially vertical to the body.
EP05733225A 2004-04-05 2005-02-24 Engine cradle with improved impact response, corresponding cradle shell and vehicle Not-in-force EP1735205B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0403531A FR2868385B1 (en) 2004-04-05 2004-04-05 IMPROVED IMPROVEMENT ENGINE CRADLE, CRADLE SHELL AND CORRESPONDING VEHICLE
PCT/FR2005/000447 WO2005108190A1 (en) 2004-04-05 2005-02-24 Engine cradle with improved impact response, corresponding cradle shell and vehicle

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EP1735205A1 true EP1735205A1 (en) 2006-12-27
EP1735205B1 EP1735205B1 (en) 2008-04-09

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CN (1) CN100478232C (en)
AR (1) AR048923A1 (en)
AT (1) ATE391659T1 (en)
DE (1) DE602005005973T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2307172T3 (en)
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DE102011116155A1 (en) * 2011-10-14 2013-04-18 Audi Ag Subframe for motor vehicles
DE102012103125A1 (en) * 2012-04-12 2013-10-17 Dr. Ing. H.C. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft Carrier structure for drive axle arrangement of motor vehicle e.g. car, has cross beam and auxiliary frame that are connected with vehicle chassis over bearing points and provided with bearing elements to receive vehicle assemblies
DE102013108695B4 (en) * 2013-08-12 2022-06-30 Kirchhoff Automotive Deutschland Gmbh Subframe for a motor vehicle axle
DE102015119231B4 (en) 2015-11-09 2018-06-07 Kirchhoff Automotive Deutschland Gmbh An assembly for a motor vehicle having a subframe and a shock absorbing structure
DE102015224852A1 (en) * 2015-12-10 2017-06-14 Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Subframe for a vehicle and method of making a subframe
DE102017218276A1 (en) * 2017-10-12 2019-04-18 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Axle carrier of a vehicle with a bearing part for a stabilizer bar

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DE29722344U1 (en) * 1997-12-18 1999-04-15 Ball Wilfried Chassis for passenger cars
ITTO980785A1 (en) * 1998-09-16 2000-03-16 M A C S P A STRUCTURAL ELEMENT FOR A VEHICLE.
JP3788175B2 (en) * 2000-03-13 2006-06-21 スズキ株式会社 Suspension frame structure
KR100435681B1 (en) * 2001-09-11 2004-06-12 현대자동차주식회사 Layout of suspension using steering gear frame

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ES2307172T3 (en) 2008-11-16
DE602005005973T2 (en) 2009-05-28
EP1735205B1 (en) 2008-04-09
WO2005108190A1 (en) 2005-11-17
ATE391659T1 (en) 2008-04-15
DE602005005973D1 (en) 2008-05-21
FR2868385B1 (en) 2006-06-02
AR048923A1 (en) 2006-06-14
FR2868385A1 (en) 2005-10-07
CN100478232C (en) 2009-04-15

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